Incident Action Plan (IAP)

An oral or written plan containing general objectives reflecting the overall strategy for managing an incident. It may include the identification of operational resources and assignments. It may also include attachments that provide direction and important information for management of the incident during one or more operational periods.

Emergency Operations Plan

Assigns responsibility to organizations and individuals for carrying out specific actions at projected times and places in an emergency – responsibilities that exceed the capability or routine responsibility of any one agency (e.g., the fire department). Sets forth lines of authority and organizational relationships, and shows how all actions will be coordinated. Describes how people…

Emergency Operations Center (EOC)

The physical location at which the coordination of information and resources to support domestic incident management activities normally takes place. An EOC may be a temporary facility or may be located in a more central or permanently established facility, perhaps at a higher level of organization within a jurisdiction. EOCs may be organized by major…

Disaster Recovery Plan (DRP)

A documented process or set of procedures to recover and protect a business in the event of a disaster. Such a plan, ordinarily documented in written form, specifies procedures an organization is to follow in the event of a disaster.

Continuity of Operations

The degree or state of being continuous in the conduct of functions, tasks or duties necessary to accomplish a military action or mission in carrying out the national military strategy. It includes the functions and duties of the commander, as well as the supporting functions and duties performed by the staff and others acting under…

Complexity Theory

Complex behavior emerges from a few simple rules, and that all complex systems are networks of many interdependent parts which interact according to those rules.

Complex Adaptive System

A “complex macroscopic collection” of relatively “similar and partially connected micro-structures” formed in order to adapt to the changing environment and increase its survivability as a macro-structure.